Christmas 2011

I know I haven't been blogging much lately...I have been busy living my life rather than blogging about it I guess :)...and happy about it!

Today was Christmas - at least as I write this, at 11:58 p.m. at the moment. And although I had no gifts to open, it was one of the best Christmases I can remember! My husband and I had bought a new TV as our Christmas gift to each other, we've had it for a couple of months, and are enjoying it a lot. My daughter and grandson are out of town, visiting relatives on her dad's side of the family - that has been the only damper on my day, but even so I have been blessed with joy!

Starting the day with church is always great, I wish I could start EVERY day with church! The song leader, Mary, and I sang a duet. It is the first time I have sung in church although I play the keyboard for every service, and I got off to a bit of a rough start vocally...but then was ok after that. Mary, of course, did a great job from start to finish, she's a real pro up there :). The message was excellent as it always is.

Afterward we picked my mom up from the nursing home. She is in a big of a cognitive slump today (Lewy Body Dementia involves lots of cognitive peaks and valleys - "fluctuating cognition" they call it.), but I was excited for her to open her Christmas gift from my sister and I and our husbands - a digital photo frame. I had loaded it with lots of family pictures from past and present, and she watched it for a couple of hours, really was thrilled with it!

I made our traditional Christmas dinner of homemade tomato soup (lots of ricotta and cream!) and very rich cheese sandwiches on English muffin bread with 5 kinds of cheeses, spread with real butter and fried on the skillet until crispy. This has been our Christmas dinner ever since my mom requested it when she was in the early stages of the disease. And I believe it always will be our Christmas dinner, even when...well, after...

My mom stayed and visited for about 3 hours total. As her disease progresses she wants to spend less and less time away from her nursing home - it is small, family-like, everybody knows everybody, she thrives on her friendships and the routine there. She likes it here at my home also, loves playing with my dogs especially, but starts getting anxious after a while...lately it's been about an hour, maybe 90 minutes, before she wants to go back. So today was wonderful, having her here for 3 hours!

After we took my mom back, I had a rare Christmas treat: a nap with my husband! Usually our sleeping schedules are so different, and many Sundays my 31MO grandson is here, so a Sunday afternoon nap isn't possible, but today it was just us, and I slept like a rock for 2 hours, at the same time as hubby! That was a real Christmas gift right there!

After I got up, as he continued to sleep, I took care of my birds and made his lunch and had a couple of hours to myself which is always nice.

This year I have had great peace and joy about Christmas that I haven't experienced in a long time. Part of it are the blessings I receive from twitter, believe it or not - so many lovely Christians, it is like a worship celebration whenever I log on! Part of it is that Jesus has been drawing me so much closer this year, and His Word has been really in my heart. He's been giving me a thirst for it, and even though I don't remember what I've read afterward, the feeling is there, and I know that it is in my heart - the Holy Spirit will be - has been, and is! - able to bring it to my mind as needed, even if my mind doesn't recall it all the time. And the Word has been working in my heart, which sets my mind on things above rather than loving the world...how uplifting is that!

So this year I have had joy and peace in spite of circumstances, my eyes on Jesus and my heart centered on His Word and His promises. What a perfect day!

New SmartTV and Stuff

So in the wintertime when I'm not working (this year I'm working a little bit on an as-needed basis, which I enjoy but it doesn't pay many bills) and we're living on one income we suspend our DirecTv service. We love DirecTv but with all the content on the internet we really don't find it all that painful to leave it off for a few months - typically Nov-March - and it saves us a significant amount each year.

Meanwhile, my husband's eyesight is getting ever-worse. And our old TV - a 100# (or seems that way) monster doesn't have the crisp picture that newer television sets have even though the picture was still good, and the stereo sound was GREAT... but Pete has had to get up and walk up close to the TV to read text, such as the program guide, for months. So we saved up for a newer TV set that would work better for us. We knew we couldn't afford a really top-of-the-line model, but determined that 32" would be big enough for our small living room. We also wanted to make sure that the screen was as clear and crisp as possible, so we wanted 1080p resolution. We knew that internet apps would be fun, and could be useful as we made our way through the winter without satellite; wifi would be a must though, with a toddler and critters running around we didn't want more cords and cables. And that was about the extent of our wish list.

Anyway, I've been studying what's out there for a few months, and getting ahead on our bills so we could dedicate part of a paycheck to the purchase. (Easier to do it this way than "saving up" even though it amounts to the same thing...we don't use credit for anything but that's a topic for another post.) We'd been planning to wait until Christmas sales, but still looked at TV sets every time we were out shopping. And last week when we had to make a trip to Saginaw for an appointment, it was a good time to visit some of the larger stores like we don't have here, and do some more homework "in person".

I knew that our budget would be about $400, and I knew that we could get something that all of the attributes we wanted, but in that price range it wouldn't be easy...but could be done especially during the Christmas sales. Then on our day in Saginaw we saw this TV - a Vizio that got 4.5 stars out of 5 on amazon.com, was selling for over $600 there and for $550 at the Vizio website - for $440! Not remanufactured, not in any way used, but brand new. AND it not only had our "must-haves" but also had 3D, a USB port, PC connectors, surround sound, 3 HDMI ports (most in our price range only had 2), remote with a qwerty keyboard, and other goodies! It definitely was not just a basic model!

We saw this early in the day, then continued on shopping at quite a few places there, but couldn't find anything that had everything this TV had, not for the price...and of course, we went a little over our budget (we're eating a lot of chicken until the next paycheck - lol) to get it but in the long run we are very very happy with our purchase!

This TV was really an excellent buy and a lot of fun. Each TV manufacturer has their own group of apps, and Vizio's selection is probably no better or worse than any others, although I don't understand why they don't have YouTube. But as Amazon Prime members (that was also essential, that the apps package of any TV we got had Amazon Prime in it) there is certainly plenty to see. There are TV shows that I've never heard of or seen before that look pretty good, and I look forward to watching those as well as the familiar ones that I like to watch anyway. (Frazier comes to mind.)

Just really happy with this TV!

4 Things To Do Immediately When Your #Facebook Account Is Hacked

URL:  http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/4-immediately-facebook-acc...

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"The State governments possess inherent advantages, which will ever give them an influence and ascendancy over the National Government, and will for ever preclude the possibility of federal encroachments. That their liberties, indeed, can be subverted by the federal head, is repugnant to every rule of political calculation." --Alexander Hamilton, speech to the New York Ratifying Convention, 1788

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Today Is GONNA Get Better, I Claim It In The Name of #Jesus!

My day started out an hour too early with my 31MO grandson retching in bed next to me. (Since hubby works nights, often I will waken to find little Leelan in Pete's spot, where he climbs in while I'm sleeping.) Thankfully, at some point during the night he had "that" cough, with a bit of a gag to it, so I got up and brought a towel to bed...just in case. At that time my lower back was sore but I thought with more rest it would be ok by morning. (I probably didn't blog this, but I spent half the night in the ER, unable to move due to EXTREME pain and spasms in my lower back from arthritis a couple of weeks ago. I was sent home with strong drugs, and still have a few left...)

An hour before my alarm went off, I woke again to "Ugma, HELP ME!" "UGMAAAA!" I grabbed the towel and rolled over in the nick of time to catch it - an entire, unchewed and undigested, 6" long string bean from dinner last night. Thankful that problem was solved, I tried to get out of bed...Let's just say I was also thankful that the closet is about 2' from the side of my bed - able to grab the wall to pull myself painfully up...unfortunately my walker is in the car since I don't usually need it so much in the house (there's something within reach almost everywhere)...but standing from the toilet there's nothing to grab. Still, I made it up, painfully, and even managed the 4 steps to the back door to let the dogs out.

Well, 2 of the dogs at least... Little chi-mix Curly, Pete's precious pet who has no use for me, wouldn't come. After letting the other 2 out the back door, I hobbled back up and to the living room to call Curly again, and this time he followed me. I gingerly got back down the steps, opened the door for him - and Pharaoh and Bing ran back in...followed by Curly! Fed the cat (he eats in the music room, which doubles as his room), and when Curly went into the sunroom I blocked him in there so he wouldn't potty in the house (which he probably already has during the night somewhere, I just haven't found it yet, and couldn't manage it right now anyway).

Meanwhile precious grandson is crying to be picked up (no can do baby, sorry :(...) so I got him cozy in Umpa's recliner (Umpa Pete is still at work, with our only vehicle which also has my walker in it, and is sick and miserable with a respiratory bug, my sweet Petey for whom I would do anything in the world!)...his favorite Booples video playing, and I've got a percocet and half a valium on board, hoping that will nip this back thing in the bud! Now that everyone else is settled - such as it is - I will put an ice pack on my back and wait for the blessed relief that I have faith is soon coming! Lots to do today, got a little boy to play with and dress and feed and do his ABCMouse "lessons" (to him it's all play and he LOVES it!), a sick hubby who will be getting his much-needed rest since he works all night and needs to get better - and who will have a 12-hour shift tonight - dishes to do, food to prepare...at the minimum. Today was going to be laundry day and am hoping I can still do it before we run out of undies - lol - but if not there is always tomorrow!

(Did I mention that during the night I developed a fever and a sore throat and a cough? Looks like I'm catching what Pete has...)

So...just waiting now, but thankful Leelan is happy with his video and it will keep him occupied for a while, my Petey - and my walker - will be home soon, the drugs will do what they're supposed to do without knocking me for a loop (I'll also be taking bug calls today), and all will be well in my world :). I'm everso thankful that Jesus is next to me, with His Spirit within me and enabling me...even though I'm here in the world and afflicted with the world's issues in this temporary flawed body, I can't even imagine getting through it all without Him and His strength!

Being Online, #Twitter, #Facebook, #YouTube, #Blogs, and all that...

You know, I used to love getting online, couldn't wait to catch up with my friends on Facebook every morning while I had my coffee...again at lunchtime...then during an afternoon break...in the evening while I wound down for the night... Now I have to force myself to go there. Oh, it isn't my friends, I still like to catch up with them! But it's no longer worth the effort. When I sign on I have to click all those little blue triangles to remove all the top stories. Then as I attempt to scroll down to see what's left, I am constantly interrupted by pinterest-like photos and posters - so many that there are more of those than of actual newsy posts by my friends! I hide them all, they irritate the heck out of me, if I wanted a half-dozen copies of each of a hundred cutesy sayings in graphic form cluttering up my wall, I'd have just joined pinterest! By that time I've caught up with the news from SOME of my friends - the ones that Facebook deems important enough for me to see easily - and I now have to go to my "Everyone" list that I had to make just so that I could see what's going on with everybody else. By the time I scan that (and since I can't hide the freakin' graphics on a list page I have to visually pick out the updates from the graphic flotsam and jetsam) and go back to my FB wall, there's a whole new crop of top stories and graphics junk littering the place! All that work leaves me no time to post my own updates or comment on others' updates, and I've wasted all of my FB time on just housekeeping. So most of the time, I don't even bother with FB anymore - once a day of frustration and wasted online time is more than enough for me, and I only endure it because I truly love the friends and family that I connect with there.

Meanwhile, Twitter remains neat and clean and simple. I scroll down a list and see what's new with my tweeps, comment on their posts, share my own updates, thank my new followers, post some personal notes, check the twitter pages of a few "favorite" tweeple, and I'm done in a matter of minutes, off to the next thing in my day. No muss, no fuss.

Since I've grown to dislike FB so much I've been spending more of my online time at YouTube. I have never seen before that there is a real community there, as I used to just go watch random videos. But I've discovered vlogs and, even though I only follow 3 of them, they are very satisfying to me. I've grown to care about these 3 people, pray for them, and someday may even learn to vlog myself! Again, what you see is what you get, the relationships forged there can be very satisfying (as the vloggers point out), and it's simple to get to what you want without a whole lot of junk getting in the way or wasting my time.

I have always enjoyed blogs. I subscribe to a whole heap of them on Google Reader. I rarely read blogs on the computer, but when I have down time (ie, falling asleep at night, in a waiting room at the doctor's, waiting for the final spin cycle to complete, whatever) I open my gReader app and catch up on a few. Oh, I'm never completely caught up, but always make sure I start with my favorites and work from there. (In ideal world I would only subscribe to my favorite blogs, but sometimes I click that RSS button when I get caught up in the excitement of the moment - lol.)

(Where does email fall into all of this? I check it first thing, every time I get online, do my replies or file away the info, and then move onto the rest. But I've left almost all of my yahoogroups - probably a year ago - and my email load has been reduced by about 90%, so it isn't as significant, time-wise.)

I can't, and don't want to, let my online time take over my life. During the busy seasons when I'm at my computer taking bug calls anyway, I spend a little more time doing social online things during business hours, between calls. The rest of the year I have many other things to do besides sit at my computer (as I did the last few years when I was too sick to live a "real" life most of the time); when I am here, my time has to count. Not be wasted by a bunch of useless housekeeping tasks, but really communicate and interact with other people, or research and learn, or be blessed or be a blessing. The internet is an adjunct to my "real life", not a replacement for it, and for me it's all about the people.

Husband's diagnosis with #Lewybody dementia changed life for WGAL news anchor Kim Lemon

URL:  http://www.pennlive.com/bodyandmind/index.ssf/2011/10/h...

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Cash Transactions Banned by the State of Louisiana

URL:  http://ackelandassociates.com/cash-transactions-banned-...

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The BEST NEWS of My Life!!! #praise #jesus

http://lazaroo.com/lazaroo-wednesday-october-12-2011/

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A Little of This, A Little of That - Something for Everyone :)

God is rich in blessings toward me! He never fails me, never leaves me, always sustains me, and always inspires me to do ever-greater things for His Kingdom!

Topic #1 -
Pete & I went camping this past weekend with some people from our church. We were offered a camper to borrow/sleep in which we gratefully accepted. The trip itself was beyond wonderful (I will be posting some photos at the RoscoFMC Facebook page later today.), the weather was absolutely perfect, the fall colors were magnificent, and the fellowship was stupendous! However, I wanted to write about camping in general. It is the first time that Pete and I had camped together, and he really really loved it! I enjoyed getting away with him the most; even though it was a heck of a lot of work getting ready, it was worth it for the time we spent together but mostly for the new experience and the new memories we made together. He's been looking at camping equipment websites online since we got home :). While we won't be able to afford a camper, we've been talking about getting a 2nd vehicle next year. Now we're thinking it might be a full-sized van, or something similar, something we can sleep in. And a screen house for daytime outdoor "living". Something to think about, and dream about, and talk about together, for 2012...

Topic #2 -
I work for a pest control company on a seasonal basis, and have since 2001. During their busy season (April-Oct) I answer their phones during business hours and set the appointments for the technicians. I LOVE my job, and always feel a void during the months I'm not working. Right around February I start looking forward to getting back to it every year. Well, I'm excited to say that this year they have decided to use my services on a part-time, as-needed basis through the winter! I am thrilled! Even though I won't be working a whole lot, especially in the coldest parts of the winter, I will still get to do what I love to do :). The extra $ will be nice but mostly I'm just happy I'll get to work. And, I just ordered a brand-new fancy headset :). My old one was inexpensive and did well for several years, but now some of the wires are exposed and starting to fray, so it's time to get a really nice one with stereo sound (my netbook has Dolby in the earphone jack!) and a noise-limiting mic. I have it on order from Amazon.com and it will be here tomorrow - stoked!

Topic #3 -
I'm just loving being a grandma to my little grandson (now 2-1/2) Leelan, and am looking forward to having more time to spend with him this winter too. My daughter, working to make a better life for her son and herself, is now working every day at a bank as a teller - a very nice step up from her last 4 years at her first job at Burger King! She's still working part-time at BK as well, for financial reasons, and is also going to college part-time; I am SO PROUD of my girl! (I want to say here that Casey spends every spare minute with her son, he is her top priority, she sacrifices time with friends and her social life for his sake since every minute she can spend with him is more important to her than anything/anyone else...he is her world!) Casey's doing what she feels she needs to do to make a good career and provide future stability for them, and this is just temporary. But she needs lots of babysitting support, which her dad, "Big Grampa" (he's very tall!) and I help with as much as we can. Through the winter I'm excited about spending a lot more time with Leelan too! She is doing an AMAZING job with raising him, and both Big Grampa and I love spending time with him, helping her, and being there for them both...so I'm really looking forward to spending time with Leelan and, hopefully, more time with his mom!

Topic #3 -
I haven't spoken much about my mom lately. Her LBD is progressing, her memory is worse, she is more and more dependent on the routine of the nursing home for her sense of security and wants to spend less and less time away...but her hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, and behaviors are being very well-managed with an ideal cocktail of carefully chosen meds, and her personality is intact. I still bring her home or take her out on Sundays, although she doesn't like spending time away and wants to go back sooner and sooner. In the past she's been happy to spend a whole day - up to 8 hours - with us, and would only start asking to go back at dusk. Through this summer, though, she wants to go back sooner and sooner, and many days after only a couple of hours...and taking her out more than once a week also causes her to become anxious to the point that she doesn't enjoy it. Because she doesn't recall the things we do together when she's out with me anymore, I'm now concentrating on giving her beautiful moments. She can only live in the moment, once it is gone, it is out of her memory. And she can't look forward to anything because she doesn't remember a future event after she's been told about it. So she lives in the moment, and I try to make each of those moments count. I think Leelan and I will be spending more time with her in her own environment this winter, as I'll be working less. But she seems happy, and is very loving, her sense of humor is still there and she makes very very funny and clever jokes that crack us all up. For now, even with LBD, she is in a good place.

Topic #4 -
A good place. My mom lives in a small (61 bed) nursing home about a mile from my house. I'm there in 4 minutes. So many people talk about nursing homes as if they were awful horrible dungeons - and maybe some of them are. But not all are like that. I know for a FACT that without the wonderful care, the attention, the one-on-one work, and the love that my mom gets at King's, she would be so much worse off than she is today. NO WAY could I have provided for her even 1/10th of what they have, and I am so grateful for all they've done. And it is home to her, and she has friends that she can spend time with every day, and has even had a couple of romantic interludes with other residents that were good for her well-being! To hear all nursing homes lumped together as hell-on-earth, or to hear exhausted, stressed caregivers struggling to meet even the minimum needs of their loved ones, all because "I promised him I'd never put him in a nursing home" - it is heart-breaking! There ARE good ones out there, and they are trained to deal with the issues our loved ones are facing, round-the-clock, and assist them in every way. They CAN give our loved ones so much more than many of us are able to do - we are just one person, they are a team who can meet nearly every need that our loved ones have. Speaking for myself, I know I couldn't have provided that. And I know that my mom would be so much worse off if not for the professional care, specifically designed for her needs, that she has received. I wouldn't have deprived her of that for anything! Don't tell me that nursing homes are last-resort options, akin to deserting a loved one or taking the easy way out at the expense of their health or well-being. Many times caregivers sacrifice everything out of misplaced guilt, and still can't help their loved one as much as the professionals can. Yeah, some nursing homes really suck. But don't assume that they all do. Some are also lifesavers - for our loved ones AND for us.

Topic #5 -
Pete and I watch an old 26" TV with a pretty fuzzy picture. His eyesight (cataracts, glaucoma, and double vision on one eye) is declining to the point that he can't see it very well and can't read the menus or guide without walking across the room to get up close. Anything written on the screen as part of a movie or show is lost to him. (He rarely bothers to turn it on anymore, even for shows that he enjoys.) So we have been looking at the flat-screen TVs at Walmart. (We won't necessarily buy from Walmart, but they have a good selection to look at.) He can stand 20' back from them and be able to read the writing on the screen, they are so clear. We have decided that our Christmas gift for ourselves this year will be a new TV that he can actually watch. Because I have Amazon Prime I would like one that will get on the internet and let us watch content through there. Price will be a factor of course (I've already started tucking away a few extra dollars where I can), but if we're going to do this we want to do it right, and get the best that we can afford. We have a small living room, so 32" is what we are looking at for both price and practicality. If you have any suggestions or recommendations I would love to hear them...thanks! :)

That about wraps up what's been on my mind...if you're still with me, thanks :).

Breakthrough Device Helps #Alzheimer's Patients Regain Cognitive Skills

URL:  http://www.israel21c.org/health/new-device-helps-alzhei...

This is a HUGE claim! Read the article and see for yourself, what an amazing thing!

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#Free Manual - New Life: Bring Old PC To Life With #Ubuntu from @makeuseof [BEST o/s I've ever used - on my NEW netbook too!]

URL:  http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/download-new-life-bring-...

Fed up with Windows - updates, glitches, load times, freezing, etc etc etc...I am SO glad that my wonderful hubby introduced me to Ubuntu! We now use it on ALL of our computers, old and new! It is as easy as Windows to use, but so much faster - and NO blue screens/locking up/crashing! I do everything on Ubuntu that I ever did in Windows, and more quickly and easily - LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!

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Powerful Words from Yesterday's Message at #Church

For some odd reason, we are great at finding reasons not to attend church, not to get involved, & not to commit, but we are lousy at finding reasons to be obedient to God.

Why is that?

We are listening to the wrong voices.

I’m talking about the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms that are out to destroy you.

Why do we listen to them?

Because they say what we like to hear.

They don’t require us to die to self.

They don’t require us to sacrifice.

They don’t require a commitment.

They don’t want you to read God’s Word.

They don’t want you to pray for the world.

In fact, the enemy of our souls discourages all that.

Then our lazy carnal self likes the idea of a free pass into heaven, cheap grace at little cost, & let someone else worry about doing God’s work in the world.

This is the same voice that deceived Adam & Eve into eating what God forbid them from eating.

It is the same voice that has destroyed God’s perfect world.

Are you going to continue to listen to the voice of deception, or [isten to] the voice of Truth?

#Grace Will Always Be Greater Than #Sin [a blog post that I found today and liked!]

URL:  http://www.christianblog.com/blog/billyb/grace-will-alw...

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A. Ouple of Nifty Things

<p>Yeah, I know this is old news to my Facebookies but I'm still thinking it's very cool even a few days later, this QR code of my very own...go ahead, grab your phone and scan it. Nifty, huh?</p>
<p>Something else nifty is this blogger app on my DROIDX. So mow I can lay in bed and blog as I'm doing now.</p>
<p>And now I'm going to sleep...</p>
<p>zzzzzzz...</p>

The Great Deflation (BRILLIANT!! Thaddeus McCotter NAILS IT!) #tcot

URL:  http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/274699/great-def...

Our prosperity stands on the precipice. Concerned Americans demand an explanation of how this happened and leadership that will walk us back from the cliff. But in the White House and along the campaign trail, the purported leaders fail to recognize or refuse to acknowledge the clear and present threat to our economy: the Great Deflation.



The failure to differentiate between an economic recession and this Great Deflation will cause an economically doomed generation.



But this need not happen....

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My Angel Encounter

A sermon about angels at church yesterday led me to this post. I learned yesterday that most of us have had encounters with angels, sometimes in human form and sometimes not, but many people don't realize it. Indeed, I didn't realize it at the time, but it was very clear after the fact that I had had an angel encounter...

In October of 2008 I had a stroke. After my 5 days in the hospital I was released with a severe and constant headache and extreme vertigo, in addition to other difficulties (swallowing, some cognitive and even personality issues that remain to this day), but these 2 were the most life-altering. My life was spent in a recliner, mostly holding my head in my hands. When I walked my husband described as a "beebee in a boxcar" - I wove my way from furniture piece to furniture piece to wall, fighting nausea and pain the entire time. Imagine a brain freeze after eating your ice cream too fast - that was the pain that never left my head. When winter came I wore hats constantly, because it helped a little - maybe 5% but even a slight improvement is an improvement.

My personal doctor tried a broad range of pain killers, and none of them gave me any relief. Not even a little. My husband took me to the emergency room at a large hospital that just sent me home again because their MRI couldn't find the cause. I was tested and retested over the next couple of months, and nobody could help me. Nothing showed up on brain scans. I sent my records, on the advice of an internet friend, to an acclaimed brain doctor in Canada. He saw something there, and told me what to recommend to the next doctor I saw - but the next doctor I saw ridiculed me, and the recommendation. I was in too much pain, and too tired, to fight. I couldn't have lived like this much longer, and was even started to entertain thoughts of suicide, it was that awful.

At this point my sister intervened. It would be an entire post in itself to how this was accomplished, but she got me admitted to a large hospital in our nearest big city (about 2 hours away). They even allowed her to stay in the empty bed next to me. I saw a neurologist there who got the ball rolling, ordering more tests and an exam by an ophthalmologist. Still nothing. Until he asked if I'd had a spinal tap at the first hospital. And of course I had...

I was seen by an anesthesiologist. I was taken to the pre-op room on a Sunday evening in the basement of the hospital. Nobody else was there, except an assistant. He gave me his name, showed me his name tag, gave me his name again, and then spelled it out for me. I thought that was odd but maybe doctors who work in basements develop oddities, who knows?

He proceeded to explain that sometimes after a spinal tap the hole doesn't completely close the spinal fluid can leak, causing headache and vertigo. He also said that mine was quite severe, and that since it had been months (as opposed to hours) that the neurologist didn't know if a blood patch could help me. But this anesthesiologist was going to try.

The procedure wasn't comfortable, but it wasn't painful either. (My definition of "painful" had been altered by what I had been enduring!) He finished, and I was taken back to my room. It was late, and it wasn't long before I was asleep.

The next morning I woke up, and steeled myself for my first movement of the day - the worst part of each day, where the pain and vertigo and resulting nausea all blasted me at the same time. I gingerly turned my head - nothing. I turned over - NOTHING. I started moving my head from side to side - NOTHING!! I woke up my sister...LOOK AT THIS! and I started whipping my head back and forth. I sat up. I walked straight to the bathroom. NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING!!! It was...unbelievable!!

This all sounds like a medical issue resolved by competent doctors doesn't it? Here is the REST of the story...

I got a phone call that morning from the doctor that did the patch, asking how I was. I thought it was unusual but he was happy to hear how well I was doing. I went home the next day.

A few days later I wanted to write him a letter, so I looked him up online. When I couldn't find his name at the hospital site, I looked at the licensing sites. Hmmm...not there either. I called the hospital, and was reassured that all of their physicians are listed on the site except doctors that fill in on an as-needed basis from an agency. She looked up the name of the doctor I gave her, and she told me that she didn't see a doctor by that name had been there, but she'd connect me with the person in charge of the contract doctors. I talked to this person, and she assured me that there had been no doctor by that name, at that hospital, ever. She even checked older records - nope. Nobody by that name.

Nobody by that name affiliated with the hospital. Nobody by that name had ever worked there. Nobody by that name listed by any of the medical sites, including licensing sites, online. I spent days trying to find him. When his name didn't turn up anywhere I scanned photos of anesthesiologists all over the state to try and find his face. Nothing.

I talked to my regular doctor after this. She couldn't find him either. But she told me that angels are at work all the time, sent to do God's healing work; she said "I've seen it happen a lot." She wasn't surprised, but rather accepted it as a matter of fact: I had had an encounter with an angel.

(Why haven't I written his name here, you might ask? It's because he was MY angel, and you may sometime have your own angel, and your angel may have a different name, a different face...the name isn't relevant; that he was sent by God to do His work, is.)

My Funny Mom #lewybody

I took my mom to the beauty shop to get her hair done today. We've been going there for several years, and whenever we walk in the door all of the beauticians look up from what they're doing and say "Hello Renee!" and she just loves going there. She was much more delusional and confused than usual today but at least in a good frame of mind.

They had a new gal there, Theresa. And she did my mom's hair. (We keep a photo of my mom with her hair done the way she likes it in the drawer at this little 4-booth salon, because she's no longer able to articulate her preferences.) Beautiful Theresa had dark hair with a wide streak of blue running through it - very cute on her. She had my mom's photo but had a question about it, and asked my mom to clarify something. My mother couldn't answer, so she just said, "Do whatever you want, use your imagination, I'm sure it will be fine!" Theresa said, "You don't know that, Renee, you could walk out of here with blue hair!" and without missing a beat my mom said, "Is that what happened to you?"

Everybody - including my mom, beauticians, and customers alike - just burst out laughing :). A moment of happy normalcy for my mom...wonderful!

AMAZING, Tell-It-Like-It-Is-Not-Like-Your-Itching-Ears-Want-To-Hear Message here! #Bible #Christian

http://facingjerusalem.blogspot.com/2011/08/on-this-date-in-hi...

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#Christian beware...

I don't think He cares about keeping us on our toes as much as on our knees...but comfortable Christianity isn't Christianity at all. There will always be challenges, growth, discipline, rejection, and with these also joy - if we're doing it right.

Amplify’d from timothyreport.homestead.com

Beware of cut-and-dried theologies that reduce the ways of God to a manageable formula that keeps life safe. God often does the unexplainable just to keep us on our toes -- and also on our knees. --Warren Wiersbe Read more at timothyreport.homestead.com

 

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This is SO POWERFUL, and SUCH A #BLESSING, that I had to clip the whole thing today! #Bible THANK YOU #JESUS! I can't even imagine such love...

Amplify’d from lazaroo.com

Lazaroo – Sunday, August 7, 2011 Aug 07, 2011 I Lazaroo.   Celebrate aloud the words of this Lazaroo! “Christ Jesus…has destroyed death…” (2 Timothy 1:10) It doesn’t get any bigger than this, Jesus. You beat the big one. But You did it by letting it beat You. I didn’t see that coming. Nobody did. Not the prophets of old not the apostles You chose while You walked this earth not the angels in heaven and certainly not Satan. To say Your death was counterintuitive is the understatement of the ages. To win, you usually have to beat the other guy. If he beats you, you lose. That’s why Satan worked so hard to kill You. But the moment You breathed Your last Satan lost. Forever. So why does Satan work so hard to destroy me? Didn’t he learn anything from his battle with You? Doesn’t he understand that the moment I die to myself and put all my hope in You he’s lost me? Forever? Apparently not. Read more at lazaroo.com

 

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DaTscan available for Parkinson's evaluation #lewybody

http://lbda.org/node/586

YES!! My mom was diagnosed by history and PET scan. I hope that they start using it in the US as well for the diagnosis of LBD and not just PD...not sure I'd have it done for my mom, but it would go SO FAR in increasing the validity of LBD as a separate condition that requires its own treatment modalities, as opposed to the "dementia is dementia is dementia" mindset that is so prevalent in the medical profession today.

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Five Things the #Lord is Teaching Me Through My Father's Death

http://www.perrynoble.com/2011/08/03/five-things-the-lord-is-t...

This article should be read by anyone who has ever lost someone close, who is losing someone close, or who is ever going to lose someone close...

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Tweets in Space! Some very cool photos here from @astro_ron

URL:  http://www.techrepublic.com/photos/tweets-in-space-astr...

What a marvel! Makes me feel so insignificant...then I realize I'm significant enough for Jesus to undergo torture and death on my behalf! That the Creator of all of this vastness - and beauty! - loves me that much...really boggles my mind! Thank you Lord for your creation and for your indwelling Spirit...

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S. Higgins Lake State Park: dog-friendly beach #nmich #michigan

URL:  http://www.bringfido.com/attraction/9918/

None of my current dogs - a 13½ YO yorkie/pom, a 6YO minpin, and a 5YO chihuahua mix - would really appreciate a good swim, I don't think, although the chi mix is new to us (from the shelter less than a week ago) so I can't say for sure yet. But I had a bassett/scottie mix for over 16 years that LOVED the water, and one of my fondest memories of her is from Secord Lake where my then-brother-in-law's family had a cottage. My Spanky loved the water so much, when we first got there and she saw that dock she jumped right into the lake! She was like a labrador when it came to water...



Anyway, just posting this for all of my dog loving friends and followers :).

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At least that's how it feels. Living in our mobile home has been pretty tough this week. If you've ever lived in one you know that they heat up FAST - if it's 90 outside, it's at least 10 degrees warmer inside. Even the carpet has been hot when walking on it in bare feet! I've been living in my music room, where there isn't really a comfortable place to sit, & though my back & my keister haven't been happy, the rest of me is extremely thankful for the a/c wall unit in that room! Hubby, who works nights, has spent his days sleeping in our bedroom, where the other window a/c unit resides. The rest of the house has been too hot for habitation, although my parrots have done just fine with a fan, frequent showers, & ice water to drink.

Now that it is FINALLY cooling off, I have relocated all my stuff back up to the house. Windows open, fans blowing gently, it's plenty cool...& I feel like I've spent the week in a bunker, under siege, & now finally have emerged back to my home & m http://amplify.com/u/a1924o

A New #Dog - The Training Begins!

Whenever a new dog joins the pack there is a period of adjustment and training. That is a given. Some dogs, however, perhaps especially rescues, need a little more work than others.

Curly is just such a dog. We were looking for a tiny dog to round out our own little pack, and yesterday we got a 6# chihuahua mix that will one day be the perfect dog! He'd been a stray when he was picked up, so we have no idea about his history. He appears to be about 4 years old and is really adorable!

First day he was here, we learned that, in spite of what the shelter thought, he is not housebroken. Easy fix. We also learned that he is VERY possessive about food, water, and anything else he claims (such as a washcloth out of the laundry), and doesn't bother with a warning nip or growl but goes straight for the bite.

This is not such an easy fix, but it IS fixable in most cases. (I have worked with only one dog where it wasn't - a purebred of a breed that is known to have the occasional wiring issue in their brains.)

When we got Doodlebug, a 5YO minpin, he had the same problem the first day. I tried to pick up a toy that he had, so that I could throw it for him again, and he nailed me. At that time I had the coolest cat in the world, Bruce. Before Doobie had even retreated from the snap, that cat was on him like white on rice, chewing the heck out of whatever he could reach, and within a few seconds, so was my yorkie/pom girl, Bing. Poor Doobie took off through the nearest doorway, which happened to be into our bedroom, and our doberman Chandler immediately took up his station at the door, and wouldn't let Doobie back out. All of this took place in the span of about a minute...and Doobie never, ever snapped at us again when we tried to take something from him.

I still have my elderly Bing girl, but she's a bit spacey these days. Bruce and Chandler are gone (as is Doobie)...so Pete and I are on our own with this one. So here is the plan, which is the same plan I use with any new dog I've ever had - and there have been quite a few - or worked with for others. Even when they don't have issues, they learn their way around, and their place in the pack fairly quickly. And when there are behavior issues, they are immediately corrected, or even prevented, this way.

Thankfully Curly is already crate-trained; that's half the battle! Because that is where he will sleep, eat, and go whenever he isn't with us. And the rest of the time, he will be with one of us - attached by a leash. Whatever we do, he will do too. If he's in the way, he will be learning to sit/stay or down/stay. When we are eating he will be learning not to beg and cry and bark at us (as he does now) - he will be learning that he isn't in charge of what and when he eats, we are.

As training progresses, he will learn to earn food treats, and learn never to take food. He will eat only when given permission, and only after the people eat. The same with toys. He will be wearing his leash whenever he isn't in the crate, which will give us a certain amount of control until he has mastered the first lessons in willingly ceding control to humans - all humans. (For example, we won't have to fear being bitten for picking up his food dish, because we will be able to hold him away from our hands.)

Tiny dogs are often allowed to become monsters because, IMHO, many of the people who get them want little "babies" to spoil. And it is considered cute when they are naughty because they are so tiny and adorable. I'm thinking this is what may have been the case with Curly, and then he was disposed of when he became the monster that his former owners had trained him to be. Just a guess on my part :) but an educated one...

So no spoiling for little Curly. What he wants, he will be earning, and we will be the source of all good things to him...on our terms. Once he falls into step with the rest of us - and I'm SURE he will, he already is showing signs of wanting to please - he will be a very special and lovely little dog to be around :). It will be worth all of the work now because we plan to love on this guy for a lot of years!

#Lowcarb Meals to Beat the Heat (from Cheap'n'Easy Lowcarb Living blog)

http://cheapeasylowcarb.blogspot.com/2011/07/low-carb-meals-to...

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Reading Books

I used to read constantly, several novels a week. I suppose the time I now use on the internet would have been spent reading a book several years ago. I always read light stuff, romances, some light mysteries that had humor, and fun light-hearted humorous books. It was my escape, as the internet is now.

Then I developed a cataract which made reading difficult. Got it fixed 6-7 years ago, but was busy building my business, and had a TV in the bedroom so stopped reading at night. Meanwhile another cataract was forming, and it progressed to the point of blinding me totally in left eye...but meanwhile I had a stroke that still causes chaos (best word to describe it) in my thinking, has affected my concentration, etc. Less than a year ago I had surgery to remove my cataract, and was looking forward to reading again. In fact I have a few books that I've wanted to read and have started them but couldn't keep up with them even though they were all light reading. So I gave up.

Then this spring I got my DroidX. And have both the Kindle and Nook apps on it. And found lots of free books. And downloaded a few.

A few days ago I started one of them. In fact, I went to bed early just so I could. And at 3:07 in the morning, I finished it. I loved reading it! It is the first book that I've read all the way through in YEARS, and I really really loved it! (If you're curious, it was Making Waves by Lorna Seilstad.)

Most of my reading has been done on the computer (a habit I formed when I needed to be able to adjust the font size to HUGE!), mostly the Bible but also online articles...no fiction though, no light reading breaks of easy mindless drivel that I used to enjoy. Is that why it was so much easier to read it on my Droid? I know for a fact that holding the Droid is easier when laying in bed than even the lightest paperback...

The problem? Not being able to put it down. I can't read into the morning hours every night, for sure. I'm now reading the Bible on my Droid at night, which isn't light reading, but involves looking things up and praying, so it isn't strictly reading as in a novel.

So I'm excited to be able to read again. Just have to work out the sleep thing. I could read while I'm working (answering calls and scheduling appointments for The Bug Man 9-5, M-F, April-Oct.) I suppose, since I can't really get involved in projects with the frequent interruptions - I do simpler things around the house during work hours but do spend a lot of time, when the phone is busy, sitting at the computer. I might as well be reading.

Anyway, I'm really happy that I read a book, just for fun. And, whenever it might be, I'm looking forward to reading another one!

Rob Bell/Mars Hill Church

URL:  http://christianity.about.com/od/christiancelebrities/a...

I had heard of Universalism and have read several articles about it in the past but this is the first I've heard of the "Emerging Church" - although a church that I attended in the past may fit that description...



I'm not sure why there is a need to sugar coat, or omit parts of, God's Word. Yes, the convicting by God of our sin is uncomfortable, even painful. And the feeling of urgency to change that He brings about within us is not pleasant - if it were then why would we bother?



No, the need for Christ isn't a sitcom, or the result of performance by a rock band, or enjoying a feel-good, everybody-goes-to-heaven sermon. The awareness of our need for Christ is most often a traumatic spiritual awakening that shakes us to the core, wakes us from our sin-induced slumber, and then as we repent, changes us with an heart-shattering, completely enveloping love and awareness of the Creator Himself within and through and surrounding us...leading to change from the very heart of who we are, to how we see life, our goals and priorities, how we live, and mostly Who we now serve.



A conversion from sinner to follower can happen anywhere. But it is the result of working of the Gospel of Jesus Christ within our very spirits, changing our hearts from the inside out, and leaving us with an awareness and connection through the Holy Spirit within us...not just an emotional high that leaves us within a few days (or even hours!).



Do not be deceived.

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My New All-Time Favorite Site for Saving $!!! I actually understand her site, for one thing... :)

URL:  http://happyhomemakercindy.com/

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Real-Life Easter Eggs - Save $, Get Things Done, etc. (but I DO NOT condone #5, involving lying)

URL:  http://lifehacker.com/5819337/top-10-real-world-easter-...

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As an animal lover, today's Lazaroo was especially significant to me...

Amplify’d from lazaroo.com

Lazaroo – Monday, July 11, 2011 Jul 11, 2011 I Lazaroo.   Pray the words of this Lazaroo aloud, with total transparency: “If someone’s offering is a fellowship offering, and he offers an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he is to present before the LORD an animal without defect. He is to lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood against the altar on all sides.” (Leviticus 3:1-2) I’m struggling with this, Jesus. The very idea of taking an innocent animal – one of my favorites – marching it to Your holy place laying my hand on its head one last time and slaughtering it?!!! then standing there…watching in horror… while the priests sprinkle its blood against Your altar?!!! No wonder these kinds of sacrifices were detestable to the Egyptians, Father. I’ve got to admit it: They’re detestable to me. as detestable as my sin must be to You. _________ Exodus 8:25-27; Leviticus 18:22-30; Deuteronomy 7:25-27; Deuteronomy 27:1-7; 1 Kings 11:5-11; Ezekiel 36:31-32; Luke 16:14-15; Titus 1:14-16; 1 Peter 4:1-6 Read more at lazaroo.com

 

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But I Don't Feel Like It! [essential reading for all #Christian s...especially me...]

http://www.perrynoble.com/

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So Today There Was a Verdict... #caseyanthonyverdict

...and Casey Anthony was found innocent of the murder of her daughter, toddler Caylee.

The internet is abuzz with shock and horror that she got away with it, that justice wasn't served for Caylee. There are tributes everywhere, as if it makes any difference to either Caylee or to Casey. And everybody seems to have an opinion or a thought on the matter.

Here is mine.

First, Caylee doesn't care. She is in the arms of Jesus, a place where we Christians are promised to go eventually, and our hope in this life. Caylee has already reached that hope, and is (figuratively, at least) skipping down those streets of gold and feasting in her mansion on the hilltop. The trial and the verdict and the outcry does not touch her.

Second, I wasn't in the courtroom, and didn't see all of the evidence or hear all of the witnesses, so I can't really say whether Casey is innocent or guilty. It is my stab-in-the-dark guess that all who are proclaiming Casey guilty weren't there either. Nor were any of us there when Caylee died. To me, proclaiming loudly something I don't - can't possibly - know with certainty only shows my own foolishness.

Third, if Casey did murder her child, in God's eyes that sin is no more heinous than yours or mine, no less worthy of forgiveness, no less covered by the blood of Jesus. Our sin is more awful than we can imagine in God's eyes, so horrible in His sight that it took the ultimate sacrifice to pay the price for it. Casey is - or would be - no more or less guilty of sin that any one of us.

Fourth, there is an enormous wailing and gnashing of teeth for Caylee today. Yet today 3900 babies in the United States alone also died by their mother's hand, or by her orders. Where is the justice in that? Why are no porch lights shining for those innocent ones, who were created by God as surely as Caylee was and whose death was just as painful and terrible for them?

My opinion is this: Casey Anthony is a sinner the exact same as I am, or that you are, or that all of those other mothers whose children die by their hands are. And we are all in need of a Savior, One who loves each of us enough that He allowed Himself to be brutally and horrifically tortured just so that we could come into the presence of the perfect almighty God for eternity. We all have that opportunity, we all can accept or reject it, and we all will be judged according to our works. Earthly judgments are flawed. Eternal ones are not.

So, whether or not Casey murdered her child is really a moot point, in the scope of eternity.

Saying Goodbye to a #Parrot....

It is a sad day for me, and a happy day for the young man who is so excited about his new bird - my bird Bey the Greyt, who will move to his new home later this evening.

Over the last few years, since my stroke, since my severe food poisoning and resulting gastroparesis, since losing so many abilities, and then regaining some of them, since becoming a grandmother...since so many things about my life - about who I am and where the remainder of my life is going (too much, too deep for a simple blog post) - my priorities and my passions have changed. I am altered in so many ways, and so much so, that I am not who I was 3 years ago.

Back to my sweet birds. I love them, just as much as I ever did. In fact I love them enough to realize that having a big huge flock of birds isn't my passion as it once was, when I ate, lived, and slept parrots, when my waking hours were all about my birds. My husband and I long ago decided not to take in any more birds (most of my flock were rehomed with me for various reasons and will never leave), and to let our flock dwindle in size naturally. I never have had any intention of rehoming any of them...

...meanwhile, though, I've been shortchanging my birds - and everything else - by trying to artificially maintain my passion. I obviously still care about them but not with the same passion as before. They are getting the short end of the stick, and I've realized that it is because there are so many. They don't get the amount of out-of-cage time they used to get, I don't cook or bake for them as much as I used to, I don't make toys as often as I did...they are just getting what I can spare for them anymore, if I were to be honest with myself. And it is tearing me up. I love them so much, as I've said, and there isn't enough of me to go around...

So when Casey's friend Michael - a wonderful young man who has house-bird-dog-cat-sat for us, who has a lot of experience with parrots - and passion - asked Casey to ask me to keep my eye open for an African Gray, I started considering the possibility. Maybe considering is too tame of a word - agonizing is more like it. Because whereas my passion has diminished and I've been unable to bring it back by my own will these last few years, my love for them has not. But Bey knows Michael, and I know without a doubt that Bey will be the avian apple of Michael's eye, and will be cared for and loved by a man with a passion for him. Yes there will be an adjustment period, and Bey will have to go through a period of missing us, and his flock...his new home will be much different than this one of course...but he will have a lot of one-on-one time with Michael, not split up his time with so many others. (Bey could only be out with one of the other birds, which restricted everybirdy's out-of-cage-play-with-mom time.) His human won't be dividing his time among many, leaving Bey with only a slice...as I am now...

No, I never planned - or wanted - to rehome any of my precious parrots. And I certainly won't - can't! - go through this again. Bey has perhaps been the neediest of my birds, but also one that has been closest to my heart these last 10 years. It is for this reason that I will request of Michael that, if at ANY time he can't keep Bey, or if things don't work out, or whatever, that he bring Bey back here. The last thing I want is for Bey to become a bird that goes from home to home to home...but it is my certainty that things WILL work out for Michael and Bey, and that Bey will be better off with Micahel than he is here, that led to this painful and heart-rending decision.

I have been crying on and off all day and feel like my heart is being ripped out of my chest, I love Bey so much. But it is because I love him that I want so badly to see his needs met, to see him have a relationship with his human like he used to have with me, that I need to do this. Though I wouldn't have considered rehoming Bey if Michael hadn't made known his desire for a grey, if they didn't already know each other, if Michael wasn't the kind of person he is...and, after a period of adjustment, if I didn't believe that Bey will be so much better off...that I can even do this thing I never thought I would...or could...

These look like the best stud pants for my #cat

URL:  http://www.grannynannyhearts.org/StudPants.html

My last cat, Bruce, started urinating all over the house in the last months before he died at the age of 15+. It took me a year and a half before I could bear the thought of another cat...and I didn't consider the whole peeing thing when I brought home Sleepee from the shelter. He is a healthy middle-aged neutered male cat whose life's work is apparently drowning - literally - every trace of Bruce from my home. I'm constantly running around with the box of baking soda (which works better than the professional-strength spray my husband brought home from the hotel where he worked)...anyway, I will soon be ordering these. Sleepee can be quite mean (ask the groomer who did his lion cut - ouch!), when things don't go his way, but SOMETHING has to be done so he will simply have to learn to wear these! Then I will have the carpets professionally cleaned, and hopefully will be able to replace them with flooring next year...

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Just installed the @8pen on my #DroidX - 5 minutes later I'm almost as fast as using the little keyboard - this thing is GREAT!

http://www.8pen.com/

Just imagine after a couple of days using it how fast I'll be! Seriously, I really really hate the on-screen keyboard. Only thing I didn't like about the DroidX was that it didn't have a slide-out keyboard, thought I'd get used to using the on-screen one - several months later and I haven't. But using this is already fun, and surprisingly easy to use!

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POWERFUL Show of God's Power, Grace, and Love! GREAT READ! #Christian

http://www.jimdornansjourney.com/2011/06/detour-ahead/

This man is battling cancer, but what he has to say is a great reminder for ALL Christians.

My favorite statements: "I like to remember daily (and share with you) that we too often keep God too small. We act often like He is just a little bit bigger than we are…a little bit more powerful, a little more forgiving, a little more able to affect things. In the beginning, we were created in His image…and yet for thousands of years man has tried to portray God in our own image instead…and then blame Him when things aren’t as we want." ~ "The Bible is clear that He is “huge” and sovereign and loving and trustworthy….and is willing to have a personal relationship with any of His children who ask and trust. Christ came to show us this way…..and validated all of His claims through His miracles and resurrection. He offers eternal life! This one on earth is but a blink of an eye."



GREAT READ!

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Fat and Cholesterol kill millions, The Cholesterol Myth—BUSTED! #diet #health #lowcarb

URL:  http://douglbullock.com/blog/fat-and-cholesterol-kill-m...

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Because I Am Loved (vs. "so I'll be loved")...eye-opening, freeing, an epiphany moment!

http://devotions.proverbs31.org/2011/06/because-i-am-loved.html

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The Importance of Fathers (includes some startling statistics!) #FathersDay

http://www.inspirationtoday.com/devotional/archive/devlist.asp...

I sure miss my dad...every day I do, but especially on Father's Day and on his birthday...

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Why ObamaCare Is Losing in the Courts

URL:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303714704...

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Today's Lazaroo - A Cup of Cool Water #Bible

Amplify’d from lazaroo.com

Lazaroo – Monday, June 6, 2011 Jun 06, 2011 I Lazaroo.   Pray aloud the words of this Lazaroo, with the heart of a servant pounding in your chest: “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” (Philemon 1:7) I would love to have that impact on others, Jesus! When they’re staggering through a hot, dry, thirsty season in their lives… I’d love to show up with a cup of cold water. But not only for those who are obviously struggling. The truth is, everybody’s having a tough time… somewhere in his or her life. The wealthy person may have health issues The healthy person may be poor The successful business person may have a terrible marriage The gifted musician may be struggling with an addiction The Godly husband and wife may have wayward children The celebrated athlete may have no one he can trust The famous celebrity may have lost every vestige of privacy The powerful politician may be facing private scandal Use me. _________ Genesis 18:1-5; Exodus 23:12; 2 Samuel 16:13-14; Psalms 68:7-9; Proverbs 11:25; Mark 9:41; Romans 15:30-32; 1 Corinthians 16:17-18; 2 Corinthians 7:13; 2 Timothy 1:16-18 ShareThis What is Lazaroo? Take Me Deeper Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Read more at lazaroo.com

 

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EVERY #Christian husband NEEDS to read this! (Even if you think you're doing it right!)

http://theresurgence.com/2011/06/01/how-to-honor-your-wife

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I LOVE THE #SHAYTARDS! Great article :)

URL:  http://blogs.forbes.com/michaelhumphrey/2011/05/31/shay...

If you haven't been watching these videos, drop what you are doing and get thee to YouTube! He is clever, quick, funny, and hyper, you will love him, and you will love his family. Seriously. They are one of my strongest addictions in life.

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POWERFUL #MemorialDay #Video !!

URL:  http://skitguys.com/videos/item/our-heroes/?utm_source=...

This one should go viral - I couldn't watch it without tearing up...can you?

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a13vmv

Bonanza!

I have just made a decision to stop selling the last product from my formerly very busy and successful business, Itty Bitty Birdie Bites. That home business took up a large portion of my time and energy, and even a little bit of my identity...when I had to give it up due to health issues, I grieved. So I kept one of my most popular products and have continued to sell my Simple Sprouts for the last couple of years. But now, for quite a few reasons, I've had to give that up as well.

Yes, some of my original health issues have been resolved. My depth of field and distance perception has been made normal by the cataract surgery I had in September, and most of my constant debilitating gut issues have been removed by my Nissen Fundoplication in December. These 2 things have really given me back a normal life in almost all respects!

But some issues remain that make it difficult to run a business. Most importantly, my mental organizational and mathematical abilities remain impaired from the stroke. In addition the arthritis in my spine has progressed to the point that I now have a permanent handicap parking status on my car. Pain in hips and legs has worsened as my back has, so standing/walking becomes difficult fairly quickly, especially when I'm lifting and/or bending, twisting, and doing what it takes to make my product. I manage most things quite well, and I'm definitely not complaining :)...just explaining.

So, given all of the above, I have had a big hole in my life where my business used to be. Yes, my life is full of other things: my family, church activities, my music, babysitting my wonderful grandson, the parrots and other pets, my home...but I still felt a void. So while recovering from my "big" surgery last December I spent quite a bit of time on the web, and discovered several online selling sites, including Bonanza. But I loved Bonanza, because it was so social and so easy to understand and so friendly! So I researched it a bit as I felt some excitement beginning, and couldn't find anything bad about it anywhere, so I prayed about it, and it's been tumbling around in my mind ever since.

Last week I felt strongly led to visit the site again (I've visited frequently, read some FAQs, browsed some booths in the interim), and also to create an account. While I'd had a couple of great suggestions for names for a booth, last week one just popped into my mind and it was THE NAME. (I love how God makes things so clear to me!) I have been gathering up a few things here and there for inclusion in my eventual booth, since I already knew what the theme of it would be, so now I have several boxes of items with which to start up!

I've had a desire for a long time to have a small online "shop" for selling gently used Christian materials, such as books, music (sheet music and music books), CDs and DVDs, etc. There is no heavy lifting involved, only pulling light-weight items off a shelf and putting them into padded envelopes for mailing. (And keeping books - something I really struggle with now -will be so much simpler as well.) I can also sell some other things there that I have around the house, at garage sale prices, but the main focus will be Christian-based media at discounted prices. I'm continually finding such things at the thrift shops and yard/garage/rummage sales that I love to frequent (so much so that I could call it a hobby), so I don't think that maintaining a good stock will be a problem. My goal is at least 75% off list - and more whenever possible - but we'll see how realistic that turns out to be :).

As with Itty Bitty Birdie Bites, this isn't something that I am doing to get rich. When I did IB3, many months I just broke even and a few months I even lost money. Most months I could at least take Pete and I out for dinner or put some gas in the tank after I'd tithed on my income, and that was enough for me. It was about the passion for what I did, for knowing I was getting fun and healthy foods into so many birdie beaks. And with this this new project, I'm again feeling excitement...I'll be getting spiritually healthy materials into people's hands.

Today I will begin adding the items to sell in my booth, His Way Christian Media'n'More. I don't know what plans God has for my endeavor, it may be meeting someone for His purposes, or getting something I have into someone else's hands, or vice versa, but most likely His reasons aren't known to me, and that's how it usually is with my Father :). I just know that He has planted an anticipation into my heart about the project, and I'm happy He is granting my desire according to what He has placed into my heart.

Today's Lazaroo - FANTASTIC! #bible

http://lazaroo.com/lazaroo-saturday-may-7-2011/

Today's Lazaroo is a good one - it reminds us that our lives are ALL to be for Christ, not just Sunday mornings or even Sundays...not just when we have spare time, when we feel like it, when our favorite show isn't on, or when we have nothing better to do....not only does He require - demand - our all, but in loving and living for Him we find His joy, no matter what!

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a11stx

Skit Guys GREAT #MothersDay Skit!

http://skitguys.com/videos/item/the-mom-song/

I love these guys, they have lots of excellent videos on their site, and even scripts so you can do their skits at your own church! Such a wonderful ministry resource!

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a11cv2

47 Must-See Sites 4 Recording Musicians

URL:  http://audio.tutsplus.com/articles/general/47-sites-eve...

I'm not really a recording musician, at least not in the serious sense of the word, but am very much looking forward to doing a little amateur recording once I get my music room set up in my former "shop" (where I ran my business before health issues caused me to close it). But some of these are pretty darned interesting to me, and lighting a fire to get busy and get the music room done!

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/b10u8o

My Resurrection Sunday, 2011 [ #praise #Jesustweeters ]

What a beautiful weekend! The last 24 hours have been amazing! From the awesome exciting prayer and praise meeting last night that I didn't want to end, to the excellent message in church today, to time spent with family... Casey and Brian and Leelan with us in church, and then in the Easter Parade through Roscommon - it was GREAT FUN!! Perfect weather and a good turnout, and the church all did a wonderful job with their floats...and then back here for supper with my mom...I am so blessed!

I love my church and am so glad that God led us there...and I love my Lord...so thankful for His supreme sacrifice, and for conquering even the grave, so that I will never perish, but have eternal life! And I'm incredibly thankful that He helps to sustain my faith with such a church to love, and days like today!

What's So Good About Good Friday?

URL:  http://www.kyria.com/topics/spiritualformation/theology...

"The world offers promises full of emptiness. But Easter offers emptiness full of promise."

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/b100u1

"The Greatest Shortcut Never Taken"

URL:  http://www.tim-sinclair.com/2010/03/shortcuts.html

Other than the Bible, this may just be the best 30-second read of your day!

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/b100cz

Christians Fill Holy City on Good Friday

http://facebook.cufi.org/2011/04/christians-pilgrims-fill-jeru...

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/b100cj

#God of #Grace #Video

URL:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYtltKtx3Sk&feature=related

I find it really hard to believe that this video only has 1500 hits - it is BEAUTIFUL, very moving...touches the heart...

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/bzwyn

Home Is Where My Heart Is #Video

URL:  http://www.ultimatetube.com/videos/12999/-%22HOME-IS-WH...

When looking across the landscape of the world, discouragement and trouble can only follow...look UP!

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/bzwfj

Wind At My Back

As fan who recently discovered this amazingly marvelous wonderful show (a few months ago) I was anticipating yesterday's movie "finale" that promised to bring it all together with great excitement. In fact, I planned my day around it (no mean feat!).

To say that I was disappointed would be an understatement. Nothing was tied together that really mattered, except learning that Van was killed in the war at the very beginning. And it appeared that the Suttons were out of the hotel and in a home or apartment of their own now. But so many of the major characters were missing so as to make it seem like a spin-off, rather than the actual show. And the main storyline introduced a whole new plot and character that we'd never seen before and had no attachment to!

I can't imagine New Bedford without May Bailey, Grace Mainwaring, Prichard Flett, the Cramps...and others who've arrived and become main characters...or rather, I couldn't have, until yesterday. So I'm not really sure what the point of the movie was, and it certainly didn't deliver on its promises.

Today the Insp Network started showing the series again, from the beginning. I am so glad that I've already seen the final episodes, because if this first episode of constant doom and gloom had been the first episode I'd ever seen, I would have never turned it on again. Seriously. Not that it wasn't well-done, because it certainly was! As well-done as any I've seen in fact. And I know that it had to set the stage for what was to come, which grew out of this dark depressing first episode of the series. But I don't like dark and depressing, especially an hour of it without respite.

I will continue to watch, thankful that Insp shows it 3 times a day so if I miss one I can catch it later...but I just had to write my thoughts about the movie especially. I am still a fan because I've read the back of the book, as it were. And I will still HIGHLY recommend the series, even though I am left feeling so morose after today's episode. Knowing that the storyline will get better will hold my interest, and the excellent writing, acting, and direction will keep me watching. In spite of yesterday's disappointment, and today's misery in the Bailey family.